Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-06-01
LAWYER CLIFTON'S RIDE.
A Kcprieve for Fe.on Received
A ter the Black Cap Is
Drawn.
The Hanging Indefinitely Postponed,
and the Criminal Overcome
with Joy.
Savannah GA. special. !

Ao ioho"iub arc tuc eAciuHS uetdus VI
the saving of Leggetts life, for his death
has not yet been compassed, though his
neck has been in the hangman's moose.
William Clifton, his faithful attorney,
received on Wednesday night or rather
Thursday morning kilograms from Gov
ernor Gordon informing him of Leggetts
respite for thirty days. These he slarted d
with for Tatnall County on Thursday
afternoon. Il was generally understood
throughout the county that the execution
would take place in the forenoon of the
next day. The sun was not two hours high
when people began arriving in the town,
some on foot, others OH horseback, and
many in the cracker carts. The scaffold
mile from the village. Thither the crowd
moved, and steadily grew in numbers.
Leggett was given breakfast at o'clock,
and shortly afterward minister of the
gospel was admitted to his cell. The con-
demned man talked of the murder of his
wife, said that he was sorry for it, and ex-
pressed hope for forgiveness. He had
not received any irtimation that reprieve
would be granted in his case, and he went
about preparing to pay the penalty of his
crime. At 1890 he was handcutfed, and,
surrounded by Deputy Sherifis, was driven
to the scaffold. Fully l,5u0 people had
collected there, and an immense crowd fol-
lowed Leggett and his guards from the
town. Dozens of men and boys had climbed
up into the trees to get better view.
Hundreds mola swarmed over the carts,
standing up on the wheels, seats. anywhere
and everywhere that toothold offered
THE BLACK CAR.
The iAsftpu luI1aI oo t1,a ,,r;cona.
cended the scsifold but still a low buzz of
excited comment arose from the throng
After few miru'es OF prayer and a short
confession from the murderer the sheriff
slipped the uoose over Leggett's head,
carefully tightened the rope around his
neck, and adj lusted the knot. Then the
black cap was pat on and pulled down over
the prisoners face. He had walked up on
the gallows with n firm step, and showed
little sign of nervousness in his voice as he
sang aud prayed. He did not falter when
placed on the fatal trap, and held his hands
quietly behind his back to have them tied
together. His ankles were next bound
tightly with stout rope.
Mr.. Clifton was in his bed in Savannah
when he received telegram from Governor
Gordon eranting respite. When the at
torney left the train ut Johnston's station,
IL
Railway, he had forty-five miles to drive
through country not noted for its good
roads. The breaking of trace or al axle
or anything happening to either of the
horses, or any one of a hundred accidents,
was liable to delay lin and prevent his
reaching Riedsvile before the trap was
sprung. While Leggett was watching
through his cell window the first CLEANS Of
dawn bis faithful lawyer was urging swift
pair of horses across the country at gait
that covered them with foam. The hours
sped by with equal rapidi,y to the prison
! -ey sAnd y the nan who was Fastening to
IN TIME.
The Sheriff had just turned to step down
OH the scaslolh. prepara' ory to cutting the
rope which held the trap in the floor, when
MIR. Clifton pushed his way INTO the crowd
and shouted:
"Mr. Sheriff, | have here message
from Gov. Gordon, directed to you.
Come this way and let me sec it imme-
diately," answered back the sheriff
For moment not whisper was uttered.
Every one held his breath. The crowd
divided and made way for the lawyer to
pass to the foot of the gallows. The Sheriff
glanced hastily at the telegram, and drop
ped the hatchet which he held in bis hand.
"Go up on the scaffold, Clifton, and
read to u.s." cried thousand voices.
Tatnall is the attorneys native county.
Everybody down there knows him, and
there was not a man in the crowd who did
not recognize his tail, broad form as he
elbowed his way 10 the Sheriff. Many a
time in his life had the lawyer heard the
cry, "Take the stage" but never before
under such circumstances.
MIR. CLIFTON EXPLAINS.
Taking ex- Senator Mattox by the arm,
Mr.. Clifton stepped briskly upon the plat
form, and without waiting for Leggett to
lie unbound read the dispatch from Gov
ernor Gordon granting respite for thirty
days. This is authentic" the speaker
added, and he read another telegram ad.
dressed to himself, to the effect that q re-
prieve had been granted. He then read q
third dispatch, inquiring if the first and
second had been received. The kilograms
had magical effect upon the crowd. They
yelled and shouted for Gordon and Clifton
and pressed up close to the scaffold to con-
gratulate him.
Leggett stood at first as though paralyz-
ed, being unable to believe what his ears
heard. Then when it dawned upon him
that he was not to die. he made frantic
efforts TO be released. The cap and moose
were quickly removed, and he fell down
on his knees and poured out thanks 10 God
and lis attorney. His bonds wers cut and
be was led away, declaring that he loved
his lawyer more than any one in the world
he scene was one not witnessed twice in q
lifetime, except in the last act of some
dramas on the mimic strage where a
courier rushes on breathless from the
wings and hands the heavy man in the
play q pardon for the hero. The crowd